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Crime

29th Sep 2022

Burglar behind business telling homeowners how to protect their home from burglars back in prison… for burglary

Steve Hopkins

Burglar behind business telling homeowners how to protect their home from burglars back in prison... for burglary

Sam Edwards charged people £20-an-hour to safeguard their homes

A burglar who set up a business telling property owners how to protect their homes from burglars is back in prison… for burglary.

Sam Edwards launched ‘Sam’s Burglary Prevention’ in 2019 giving Brits tips on how to avoid being targeted by thieves – like his former self.

At the time, the 28-year-old claimed he’d turned his back on crime, which included stealing £20m of goods.

Edwards developed a wide set of skills over his 11 year criminal career and, he boasted at the time, could get through any door with a chisel quieter than a homeowner could with a key.

But the dad-of-one has been jailed again after admitting 11 counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary in April 2022.

Edwards was sentenced to three years and five months behind bars for stealing “high value” jewellery from Berkshire homes during a seven-month crime spree between September 2021 and March 2022. He was jailed following a hearing at Reading Crown Court.

Police said Edwards stole irreplaceable items of “high sentimental value”. He was arrested following a joint investigation between Surrey and and Thames Valley police forces.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Steven Baggaley of Thames Valley Police, said Edwards broke into 11 properties and attempted to break into a further one, stealing “not only items of high monetary value but also high sentimental value which cannot be replaced”.

Baggaley continued: “A home is somewhere that you should feel safe and Edwards has breached this, making his victims feel vulnerable and unsafe. The defendant has now three years and five months to reflect on his actions.

“This was a joint investigation between TVP and Surrey and officers will work relentlessly to pursue suspects and bring offenders to justice for these type of offences and are committed to keeping our communities safe.”

Edwards previously charged people to improve their home security, charing £20-an-hour.

For that, they would receive his top tips which included double bolting doors, putting keyless car entry cards in the microwave, and having specific alarm systems.

Edwards said at the time: “People can trust me because I’ve done this for a living, I know what I’m talking about. I can give the vulnerable peace of mind.

“So far I’ve only had four or five customers, two of them had been robbed already and one had some valuables that they would rather keep hold of.”

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